Helping Immigrant Youth Attend College
Currently, many immigrant youths derive their immigration status solely from their parents, and if their parents are undocumented or in immigration limbo, most have no mechanism to obtain legal residency even if they have lived most of their lives here, which in many states prevents these students access to in-state tuition or federally awarded monies in support of their higher education. The DREAM Act provides such a mechanism for those who are able to meet certain conditions.
The DREAM Act would enact two major changes in current law:
- Permit certain immigrant students who have grown up in the United States to apply for temporary legal status and eventually obtain permanent status and become eligible for citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military; and
- Eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status.
Currently, there are several states, including Washington, Illinois, and Nebraska, that allow undocumented high school graduates to attend state colleges and universities while paying in-state tuition. However, the ability to effectively utilize the financial aid system to pay for college has emerged as one of the many obstacles facing this vulnerable population.
How Washington Appleseed is Helping
The Appleseed Network devised a five-part strategy in conjunction with the United We Dream Coalition, other advocacy groups, and key Congressional offices. The strategy included:
- Identify model in-state tuition legislation to rally local support of the DREAM Act and positive messages regarding undocumented students.
- Create talking points on the DREAM Act, which outline its core components, relevant policy arguments, and community strategies.
- Compile student “stories” highlighting the value of the DREAM Act, student accomplishments, and its importance to immigrant communities.
- Correlate legal research in support of the DREAM Act and/or in-state tuition laws.
- Share state-level outreach materials (in states with in-state tuition laws) to educate immigrant students about the new opportunity to access in-state tuition.
Publications
As Washington is a state that offers in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, Washington Appleseed staff compiled an analysis of our laws to share with other centers and other states. Download an overview of the impact of Washington State’s in-state tuition law for immigrant students and the continued need for the DREAM Act here:
